Terror Danjah – The Dark Crawler

Terror Danjah has been around since grime’s inception, producing classic dancefloor-destroying rhythms (anyone remember Zumpi Hunter?). His debut for Hyperdub – 2010’s Undeniable – had a mixed critical reception, but all signs indicate that Terror Danjah is back on form. The Dark Crawler is a diverse piece of work – vocal cuts feature the likes of Riko Dan in rambunctious, full-on ragga doubletime flow, on one of three takes on the title track, and Trim, whose laconic but aggressive delivery is the polar opposite of Riko Dan.

There are Soca flavours on Full Hundred, saccharine R&B on You Make Me Feel (featuring Meleka), drum & bass rhythms on Delicately, and skanking dubstep-meets-grime on album highlight Rum Punch, which nods to early Wiley productions while pushing the envelope with complex, skittering, multi-layered drums. Most grime producers have toned down their productions in search of chart success, but Terror Danjah still feels dark, dangerous and real.